Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in People with Epilepsy

the Neurology Advisor take:

People with epilepsy are at a greater risk of venous thromboembolism than people with migraines, a comparable neurologic condition, according to a study published in Epilepsia.

Gabriel U. Martz, MD, of the department of neurosciences at the Medical University of South Carolina, and colleagues, evaluated the primary outcome of patients grouped into three categories: definite epilepsy, probable epilepsy, and migraine, from January 1, 2000 to December 21, 2011. The researchers sought a diagnosis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) at or after the diagnosis of epilepsy or migraine.

VTE occurred in 2.7% of people with epilepsy (4.2% among definite epilepsy) and 0.6% of people with migraine, with a hazard ratio for VTE in people with definite epilepsy compared to people with migraine of 3.08. A higher number of comorbidities were linked to a higher risk of VTE. Although 52% of people with epilepsy have two or more comorbidities compared to 23% of people with migraine, people with migraine with comorbidities were found to be at higher risk of VTE.

The researchers concluded that the association between higher VTE risk and epilepsy compared to VTE risk and migraine suggests that there are associated risk factors of VTE with epilepsy. The researchers noted that VTE occurrence in epilepsy is comparable to rates of VTE among people with cancer.

Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in People with Epilepsy

This study evaluates the association between risk of venous thromboembolism and epilepsy compared to people with migraine.

Gabriel U. Martz, MD, of the department of neurosciences at the Medical University of South Carolina, and colleagues, found that the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) among people with epilepsy (PWEs) had not been previously reported. The researchers note that standard VTE prevention methods may increase the risk of complications in this population. This statewide study assessed the risk of VTE in people with epilepsy.